Alternative Treats for Grandchildren A resource for Grandparents

Healthy treats for the grandkids. Food treats are commonly used by grandparents to reward and engage with their grandkids. Healthy treats have positive consequences and on the flip side unhealthy treats have negative consequences. Treats can impact far beyond short-term satisfaction or any health benefit for your grandchild. Research shows that nearly one out of every four

Australian children are overweight or obese. This needs

to be halted and reversed if our grandchildren are going to

grow up to be healthy adults.

Unhealthy food treats can:

Harm children’s dental health. Frequent sugary treats

can lead to cavities

Connect food to mood by teaching children to eat even

when they are not hungry Contradict lessons about healthy eating learnt at

school or in their own home Discourage positive attitudes towards food and lifelong

healthy eating habits

Reinforce eating outside of meals or snack times

Promote a preference for sweets, teaching children to

prefer them over healthy foods that don’t taste sweet

Conflict with parent’s values

Active ideas

An Active Treasure Box that encourages physical

activity filled with hacky sacks, frisbees, bouncy balls,

bubbles, balloons, yo-yos, slinkies, sidewalk chalk,

paddleboards, nerf balls etc

Seeds and a pot for children to grow their own plants

Skipping ropes or hula hoops

Take your grandchild to a dance class, rollerskating or

swimming lesson or a park

Play hopscotch

Sports equipment eg tennis racket, soccer ball

A bouncy handball to play against a wall

Go for a walk with your grandchild

Treasure hunt

Fun ideas

An Indoor Treasure Box filled with stickers, erasers,

finger puppets, note pads, playing cards, marbles,

jacks, bookmarks, hair clips, stuffed animals, toy cars,

pencils, markers, colouring in books, glitter, key

chains, cups, magnets, back scratchers, crazy straws,

temporary tattoos, books, bracelets, rings, necklaces,

flashlights, scratch and sniff stickers

Healthy Together Mildura, supported by the Victorian Government and partners, is improving the health of our community.

Alternative Treats for Grandchildren_v1.1.doc

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Eyeglasses with nose disguise, funny masks

Sunglasses, hat, t-shirt, shoe laces

Movie ticket or video rental

Cuddly toy

Give your grandchild a special pin, badge, medal or

hat to wear

Have a hat party and join in

Water toys will provide lots of fun and laughter

A special water bottle

Creative time together

Turn off electronic devices

Draw, paint or scrapbook

Put some music on and have a dance around the

loungeroom

Play a board game, educational computer game or do

a puzzle together

Read a book

Plant some seeds in your backyard

Enjoy the outdoors by going for an after dinner walk

Go to the park for a fun time of play

Let your grandchild go for a ride on a bike under your

supervision

Fly a kite

Take your grandchild on a special outing to a place of

interest like an Art Museum or the library

Take time to share and listen to your grandchild. The

time together offers wonderful opportunity to

understand one another

Play a game of cards together

Even learning to vacuum can be fun!

Give a simple sewing, knitting or cooking lesson

Build lego together

Help write a letter, note or postcard to a friend or

family member

Creative Activity Kits eg hobby kit or paint by

numbers

Social rewards

Social rewards, which involve attention, praise, or

thanks, are often more highly valued by children than a

toy or food. Verbal praise, nods, or smiles can mean a lot.

These types of social rewards affirm a child’s worth as a

person.

For further information Contact: Andrea Sloane, Healthy Together Mildura Manager Ph: 03 5018 8260 Email: andrea.sloane@mildura.vic.gov.au Web: www.healthytogethermildura.com.au

Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/HealthyTogetherMildura

Have fun!

Be in the moment

Laugh!